medan gentlemen to whom it was an abomination to eat as their English entertainer did. There was also something of Eastern gravity at the banquet, though the Englishmen did not fail, under Colonel Aveley's favor, and with due respect, to toast the new comer, his fair niece.

CHAPTER IV.

"Rendida la eindad, cabeza de aquel vasto dominio, vinieron a la obediencia primera los principes tributarios, y despues los confinantes, a la sola opinion, y otros a la diligencia de las armas: y se formò en breve tiempo aquella gran monarquia. Admirable conquista! y muchas veces ilustres capitanes! aquellos que producen tarde los siglos y tienen raros ejemplos en la historia." De Solis. Conquista de Mejico.

WHEN Harriet, on the night of that meeting so full of solemn heartfelt joy, laid her head on her pillow, after having recalled all that she had said and done, she accused herself of selfishness and unkindness in not having spoken to her uncle of Lady Anne, his

wife, for she learnt at Calcutta that the marriage of which she had heard in England, had indeed taken place. His wife !—she repeated to herself. Then she thought that however dear she might become to him, a wife must still be dearer, and it was her turn to sigh.

Her first care in the morning, on seeing Colonel Aveley again, was to tell frankly her thought of the night before; that she had been selfishly forgetful in not speaking of her aunt-in not saying how much she hoped that this new relative contributed to his happiness, as she trusted she would to her own. Then she spoke of Lady Charlotte, whom she admired and esteemed.

Her uncle was pleased with what she said, that was evident; but he only replied,"Yes, my dear, we were so glad to meet that we forgot everything except ourselves. I am glad you are acquainted with my wife's sister. You will be good friends, I have no doubt. Now, come to breakfast."

After breakfast there followed conversation, and then some matters of business were transacted with two or three individuals, so that in a few hours Harriet began to have some idea of the nature of Colonel Aveley's functions.

He was much more than a military officer. He exercised over a large province, large powers, civil and judicial. One might say, legislative and administrative, but that these terms would imply in his authority an independence which has always been denied the conquerors of India for the Honourable Company. The hunting party was not altogether a party of pleasure; or, at least, it soon changed into one of business, and Harriet found that her uncle was on a kind of progress through the district under his jurisdiction, for the direction of its affairs and the fulfilment of his magisterial duties.

Arduous they were, and attended by weighty responsibilities, demanding as they

did the prompt decision of the military commander, with the temperance and calmness of the legislator. Harriet not being one of those women who hold it expedient, as well as interesting, to see nothing in this world. beyond the circle which includes all that is necessary for their own special comfort and laudation, did not shut her eyes to what was taking place around her. It had been intended that she should proceed to Colonel Aveley's place of residence without him, under the escort of some of his friends. But, on second thoughts, when he saw how independent of others she was for amusement and occupation-how she could forget herself in the happiness of others, he determined to keep her with himself until his return home. Accordingly, he dispatched to his wife an account of his proceedings, and of this arrangement respecting his niece.

Thus, Harriet had soon the happiness of feeling that she was valued and loved. In